U.S. patent application number 11/690998 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-27 for coiled tubing rig.
Invention is credited to Marc Alleorn, Takahiro Kosaka, Brent Nickerson, Bartley Patton, Devin Rock, Matt Rouse, Rod Shampine.
Application Number | 20070221386 11/690998 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38532139 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070221386 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rock; Devin ; et
al. |
September 27, 2007 |
COILED TUBING RIG
Abstract
A technique for utilizing a coiled tubing rig improves its
operation and functionality. The coiled tubing rig is adapted to
enable improved operation in a variety of harsh environments. The
coiled tubing rig also may comprise features that facilitate the
interchangeability of well tools, e.g. the interchangeability of
bottom hole assemblies, to lower operational cost and to increase
the efficiency with which a variety of well related operations can
be performed.
Inventors: |
Rock; Devin; (Katy, TX)
; Shampine; Rod; (Houston, TX) ; Alleorn;
Marc; (Sugar Land, TX) ; Nickerson; Brent;
(Calgary, CA) ; Patton; Bartley; (Sugar Land,
TX) ; Kosaka; Takahiro; (Anchorage, AK) ;
Rouse; Matt; (Baton Rouge, LA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION;David Cate
IP DEPT., WELL STIMULATION
110 SCHLUMBERGER DRIVE, MD1
SUGAR LAND
TX
77478
US
|
Family ID: |
38532139 |
Appl. No.: |
11/690998 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60743818 |
Mar 27, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/379 ;
166/380; 166/77.2; 166/77.51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 19/22 20130101;
E21B 7/02 20130101; E21B 33/072 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
166/379 ;
166/380; 166/077.2; 166/077.51 |
International
Class: |
E21B 19/16 20060101
E21B019/16 |
Claims
1. A well system, comprising: a coiled tubing rig having: a mouse
hole system comprising a plurality of receptacles positioned in a
mouse hole to receive bottom hole assemblies, the plurality of
receptacles being indexable to a retrieval position; and a
lubricator handling system movably mounted on the coiled tubing rig
for movement between the retrieval position and a position above a
well, the lubricator handling system being able to retrieve a
bottom hole assembly from the receptacle indexed to the retrieval
position.
2. The well system is recited in claim 1, wherein the mouse hole
system and the lubricator handling system are mounted on a
transportable platform.
3. The well system as recited in claim 1, wherein the coiled tubing
rig further comprises a mast and a coiled tubing injector.
4. The well system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a
coiled tubing reel module.
5. The well system as recited in claim 4, wherein the coiled tubing
reel module comprises a coiled tubing reel disposed within a
climate controlled housing.
6. The well system as recited in claim 3, wherein the lubricator
handling system is mounted on the mast.
7. The well system as recited in claim 6, further comprising a
lubricator, wherein the lubricator handling system is able to move
the lubricator in a generally vertical direction along the
mast.
8. A method, comprising: storing a plurality of bottom hole
assemblies in a mouse hole formed in a coiled tubing rig; and
indexing the plurality of bottom hole assemblies until a selected
bottom hole assembly is presented at a retrieval position.
9. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising retrieving
the selected bottom hole assembly with a lubricator handling
system; and moving the selected bottom hole assembly to a well
position.
10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein storing comprises
storing three bottom hole assemblies in three corresponding
receptacles.
11. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein indexing comprises
rotating the plurality of bottom hole assemblies within the mouse
hole.
12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising lifting
the selected bottom hole assembly to facilitate retrieval by the
lubricator handling system.
13. A well system, comprising: a coiled tubing rig having a coiled
tubing reel module, the coiled tubing reel module comprising a
coiled tubing reel disposed in a temperature controlled
housing.
14. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the temperature
controlled housing comprises a door that may be opened to allow
interchanging of coiled tubing reels.
15. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the coiled tubing
reel module is transportable.
16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the coiled tubing
reel module is mounted on a road legal trailer.
17. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the coiled tubing
rig further comprises a mast, a coiled tubing injector, and a
protective structure extending between the coiled tubing reel
module and the coiled tubing injector to further protect the coiled
tubing from the environment.
18. The system as recited in claim 14, further comprising a back-up
coiled tubing reel module that can be installed into the
temperature controlled housing.
19. A method, comprising: placing a coiled tubing reel on a
transportable platform for use in a coiled tubing rig; enclosing
the coiled tubing reel with a housing mounted on the transportable
platform; and controlling the temperature within the housing.
20. The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising deploying
coiled tubing from the coiled tubing reel to a coiled tubing
injector.
21. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising selecting
a bottom hole assembly from a plurality of bottom hole assemblies
mounted for indexing in a mouse hole of the coiled tubing rig; and
coupling the coiled tubing to the bottom hole assembly.
22. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein enclosing comprises
providing a door on the housing that may be opened to remove the
coiled tubing reel from the housing.
23. The method as recited in claim 22, further comprising moving a
back-up coiled tubing reel into the housing through the door.
24. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein controlling
comprises raising the temperature.
25. The method as recited in claim 20, further comprising
protecting the coiled tubing from the environment as it moves
between the housing and the coiled tubing injector.
Description
[0001] This non-provisional patent application claims priority to
provisional application Ser. No. 60/743,818 filed Mar. 27,
2006.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Coiled tubing rigs are used for a variety of well related
operations. Generally, coiled tubing rigs are used to deliver a
variety of well tools downhole and/or to perform a variety of well
related procedures via coiled tubing or jointed tubing. Coiled
tubing is unspooled and injected into a wellbore to move a well
tool, e.g. a bottom hole assembly, to a desired position downhole.
Similarly, the coiled tubing and attached well tool can be
retrieved from the well by spooling the coiled tubing onto a coiled
tubing reel. A variety of factors, including environmental factors
and the interchangeability of well tools, can limit the efficiency
of the coiled tubing rig and otherwise detrimentally affect
operation of the coiled tubing rig.
SUMMARY
[0003] In general, the present invention provides a system and
method for improving the functionality and efficient operation of a
coiled tubing rig. The rig comprises one or more features that
facilitate its operation in many types of environments, including
harsh environments. Alternatively, or in addition, the coiled
tubing rig may comprise one or more features that facilitate the
interchangeability of well tools, e.g. the interchangeability of
bottom hole assemblies. The ease of interchangeability lowers
operational cost and increases the efficiency of performing a
variety of well related operations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Certain embodiments of the invention will hereafter be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like
reference numerals denote like elements, and:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a side view of a coiled tubing rig located at a
well site, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a top view of a mouse hole utilized with the
coiled tubing rig illustrated in FIG. 1, according to an embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0007] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a well site including the coiled
tubing rig illustrated in FIG. 1 and additional support equipment,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] In the following description, numerous details are set forth
to provide an understanding of the present invention. However, it
will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
present invention may be practiced without these details and that
numerous variations or modifications from the described embodiments
may be possible.
[0009] The present invention relates to a system and methodology
for utilizing a coiled tubing rig. The coiled tubing rig comprises
one or more transportable components that are moved to one or more
selected well sites to perform well related procedures. The
transportable components often are placed on movable platforms,
such as road legal trailer beds, that can be transported over
public highways. In this manner, the coiled tubing rig components
can be easily moved from to one well site to another to perform,
for example, well servicing operations.
[0010] Generally, the coiled tubing rig may be equipped to handle
both tubing joints and coiled tubing as well as a variety of
downhole components, e.g. bottom hole assemblies. The coiled tubing
rig comprises a mast that can be transitioned to a vertical
orientation to facilitate the lifting of tubing, well tools and
other well related components. The mast also can be used in
corporation with, for example, a lubricator and a coiled tubing
injector. Transportable coiled tubing reels enable coiled tubing to
be rapidly deployed or retrieved via the coiled tubing injector.
Additionally, many other or alternate components can be used with
or incorporated into the coiled tubing rig to facilitate a variety
of well servicing operations.
[0011] One embodiment of a coiled tubing rig 10 is illustrated in
FIG. 1 as positioned at a well site 12. In this example, coiled
tubing rig 10 comprises a base or platform 14, a mast 16 mounted to
base 14, and a coiled tubing reel 18. Additionally, coiled tubing
rig 10 comprises a coiled tubing injector 20, a lubricator 22, a
lubricator handling system 24 having upper and lower lubricator
handling arms 26, 28, and jointed pipe 30 that may be manipulated
by a pipe elevator 32. Coiled tubing reel 18 is positioned in a
coiled tubing reel housing 34, and lubricator handling system 24
may be used to select and move well tools, e.g. bottom hole
assemblies, into cooperation with lubricator 22, as discussed in
greater detail below.
[0012] In the embodiment illustrated, base 14 comprises a trailer
36 having a plurality of wheels 38 supporting a trailer platform 40
to enable movement of coiled tubing rig 10 from one well site to
another. Trailer 36 may be designed as a road legal trailer to
allow legal transport over a public highway system. Base 14 also
may comprise a plurality of stabilizer arms 42 that can be lowered
and pressed against a ground surface 44 to stabilize the overall
system when mast 16 is raised for a coiled tubing rig
operation.
[0013] Mast 16 is pivotably mounted to base 14 so the mast may be
raised to facilitate coiled tubing rig operations at a well 46.
Upon completion of the well related operation, mast 16 can be
pivoted to a generally horizontal position for transport, as
illustrated by the mast outline 47 in FIG. 1. Mast 16 is used in
cooperation with a variety of components, such as lubricator 22.
Additionally, lubricator handling system 24 may be mounted to mast
16 in a manner that facilitates the handling of bottom hole
assemblies and lubricators without extending the mast height. In
this embodiment, lubricator 22 is held upright in the mast by
handling arms 26, 28 or similar devices. Mast 16 also can be used
in cooperation with other components, such as a lubricator winch 48
and a fingerboard 50.
[0014] When raised, mast 16 is positioned above a well installation
52 mounted over well 46. Well installation 52 may comprise a
variety of conventional components, such as blowout preventers 54,
illustrated as engaged by a blowout preventer handling system 56.
Blowout preventer handling system 56 may be coupled to a rig floor
section 58 of base 14 that is positioned below mast 16.
[0015] The coiled tubing injector 20 is mounted for rotation
through multiple positions, e.g. a position over well center and a
position out of alignment with well center. The coiled tubing
injector 20 may be mounted on rig floor section 58 for the rotating
movement without requiring removal of coiled tubing 60 from the
coiled tubing injector. When the coiled tubing injector 20 is
rotated out of alignment with the well center, the lubricator 22
and bottom hole assemblies or other downhole equipment can be
maneuvered over the well center above well 46.
[0016] For example, lubricator handling system 24 can be used to
manipulate lubricator 22 over well 46. In the illustrated
embodiment, lubricator handling system 24 can be used to move
lubricator 22 vertically along mast 16. Additionally, lubricator
handling system 24 can be used to retrieve downhole equipment, e.g.
bottom hole assemblies, from a mouse hole 62 for deployment into
well 46. The lubricator handling system 24, via handling arms 26,
28, can be pivoted between a plurality of positions, e.g. an over
the well position, an over the mouse hole position, and an at-rest
position. Accordingly, the lubricator handling system can be
pivoted to mouse hole 62 for retrieval of selected bottom hole
assemblies or other downhole equipment. The selected equipment is
lifted from mouse hole 62 and moved into position over well 46 for
deployment into the well.
[0017] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, mouse hole 62 comprises a
plurality of cartridges/receptacles 64 that are each designed to
receive a bottom hole assembly or other appropriate downhole
equipment 66, as illustrated in dashed lines. By way of example,
mouse hole 62 is illustrated as having three receptacles 64 with
three corresponding bottom hole assemblies 66. However, the number
of receptacles 64 can vary depending on the applications for which
the coiled tubing rig is designed. Mouse hole 62 is an indexing
mouse hole that indexes receptacles 64 and the corresponding bottom
hole assemblies 66 into a proper retrieval position, e.g. retrieval
position 67, for selection and retrieval by lubricator handling
system 24.
[0018] The receptacles 64 can be moved to retrieval position 67 by
a variety of mechanisms. For example, the receptacles 64 can be
rotated to a desired angular position, and then the corresponding
bottom hole assembly 66 can be lifted slightly for grasping by
lubricator handling system 24. In other embodiments, the
receptacles and bottom hole assemblies can be moved and/or lifted
by different mechanisms and along different paths to enable
retrieval by the lubricator handling system. In the example
illustrated, a selected bottom hole assembly 66 is lifted slightly
from its corresponding receptacle 64 by a wedge member 68 rotated
by a motor 70, such as a hydraulic motor or stepper motor. As wedge
member 68 is rotated beneath the bottom hole assembly 66, the wedge
sufficiently lifts the desired bottom hole assembly to a position
for grasping by the lubricator handling system. Additionally, motor
70 or other motors can be used to rotate receptacles 64 within
mouse hole 62 to present the selected bottom hole assembly 66 at a
desired angular position for easy retrieval.
[0019] During coiled tubing operations, coiled tubing 60 is
delivered to coiled tubing injector 20 from a coiled tubing module
72, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3. Coiled tubing module 72
comprises coiled tubing reel 18 rotatably mounted on a mounting
structure 74 within coiled tubing reel housing 34. Coiled tubing
module 72 also is climate controlled to protect coiled tubing reel
18 and coiled tubing 60 from environmental factors, e.g. freezing
temperatures. For example, housing 34 may be climate controlled by
appropriate climate control equipment 76 positioned within coiled
tubing module 72 or externally of coiled tubing module 72. Climate
control equipment 76 may comprise a heater for heating coiled
tubing reel housing 34 as well as other climate control equipment
as desired for coiled tubing rig operations in specific
environments.
[0020] In the embodiment illustrated, coiled tubing module 72 is
mounted on a transportable platform 78. By way of example,
transportable platform 78 may comprise a road legal trailer 80
having a trailer platform 82 supported on a plurality of wheels 84.
The road legal trailer 80 also may comprise a plurality of
stabilizer arms 86 to stabilize transportable platform 78 when
positioned for operation at well site 12. In this embodiment,
transportable platform 78 is positioned adjacent base 14 during the
rig operations, as best illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0021] The coiled tubing 60 also may be protected from
environmental elements by a protective structure 88. Protective
structure 88 is a partial or full enclosure that protects the
coiled tubing from environmental elements as it travels from coiled
tubing module 72 to coiled tubing injector 20. Protective structure
88 also can be expanded to enclose coiled tubing 60 over its entire
travel path from coiled tubing module 72 into well 46.
Additionally, climate control equipment 76 or additional climate
control equipment can be used to heat or otherwise control
conditions within protective structure 88.
[0022] Depending on the type of well related operations for which
coiled tubing rig 10 is utilized, a variety of other equipment and
components can be mounted over base 14. For example, a slick line
unit 90 can be mounted over rig floor section 58. An operations
cabin 92 can be mounted above the base 14 and coupled to a stairway
94 that provides access to the operations cabin. The operations
cabin can be used to control the assembly and deployment of coiled
tubing rig 10 as well as operation of the coiled tubing rig once it
is properly positioned over well 46. A mast rest 96 is located to
support mast 16 when the well related operations are completed and
the coiled tubing rig is converted to its transport
configuration.
[0023] In addition to the equipment mounted on transportable base
14 and transportable platforms 78, a variety of other vehicles,
components and equipment can be utilized in a coiled tubing rig
well operation. As illustrated in FIG. 3, for example, a back up
reel or reel module 98 can be mounted on a separate transportable
platform 100 which may be transported by a suitable truck 102 over
a public highway system. The backup reel 98 is interchangeable with
coiled tubing reel 18 when needed. In the embodiment illustrated,
coiled tubing reel housing 34 comprises a door 104 that may be
opened to interchange coiled tubing reel 18 with the backup reel
98. Door 104 may be a role-up type door or other style of door that
provides ready access to coiled tubing reel housing 34 for
interchanging coiled tubing reels.
[0024] A generator 106 may be provided to provide power for climate
control equipment 76 and to provide power for operating the various
other systems of coiled tubing rig 10 and the systems supporting
coiled tubing rig 10. By way of example, generator 106 may comprise
a standard generator unit or suitable equipment for utilizing
highline power from the electric grid. The use of standard
generator units can reduce maintenance cost and improve service
quality. The generator 106 also may be trailer mounted to
facilitate its easy transport from one well site to another.
[0025] Furthermore, a fluid module 108 may be positioned adjacent
base 14. By way of example, fluid module 108 comprises one or more
mud pumps 110 fluidly coupled with coiled tubing 60 via a manifold
112. Fluid module 108 also may be trailer mounted to facilitate its
movement between well sites.
[0026] Other equipment often utilized in well operations includes a
flatbed trailer 114 transported by a suitable truck 116. Flatbed
trailer 114 can be used to carry additional jointed pipe 118. The
jointed pipe 118 is used to replace jointed pipe 30 as it is
deployed downhole by coiled tubing rig 10. A forklift 120 or other
suitable mechanism can be used to transfer jointed pipe 118 to base
14. Modular offices 122 also can be set up at well site 12, as
necessary. The modular offices 122 are sized and designed for
transport over the public highway system on suitable trailers.
[0027] A variety of other components and features also can be
mounted on or over base 14 and its rig floor section 58. For
example, one or more jib cranes 124 can be mounted at desired
locations to facilitate movement of equipment needed in coiled
tubing rig operations. Furthermore, additional stairways, e.g.
stairway 126, can be positioned to provide rig operators with
access to desired rig locations.
[0028] In FIG. 3, lubricator handling system 24 is illustrated as
positioned in its parked or at-rest position. However the
lubricator handling system 24 can be pivoted about its pivot axis
128 for selective movement to its position at mouse hole 62 and its
position over well 46. Accordingly, lubricator handling system 24
can be used to rapidly move desired bottom hole assemblies or other
downhole equipment from mouse hole 62 into position over well 46 or
vice versa. Similarly, the coiled tubing injector 20 can be
selectively pivoted, via an injector arm 130, between a position
over the well (shown in dashed lines) and a position away from the
well (shown in solid lines). As illustrated, the coiled tubing
injector 20 is mounted independently of drilling mast 16. Injector
arm 130 also can be designed to enable the raising and lowering of
coiled tubing injector 20.
[0029] Depending on the specific coiled tubing rig operation, a
variety of additional features can be incorporated into coiled
tubing rig 10 and/or utilized at well site 12. The specific
positioning of mouse hole 62 can be adjusted according to the
arrangement of other cooperating components. Additionally, the
design of the coiled tubing reel housing 34 as well as climate
control equipment 76 can vary according to the specific
applications anticipated. In extremely cold climates, for example,
climate control equipment 76 can be designed to provide additional
heating to ensure that the coiled tubing does not freeze and become
blocked when flow through the coiled tubing is stopped.
[0030] Accordingly, although only a few embodiments of the present
invention have been described in detail above, those of ordinary
skill in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications
are possible without materially departing from the teachings of
this invention. Accordingly, such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of this invention as defined in the
claims.
* * * * *